Lubango

Passport validity requirements 

Your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive in Angola and have at least 2 blank pages.  

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.  

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen. 

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual Citizenship.

Visa requirements 

You do not need a visa to visit Angola for up to 30 days, if visiting for tourism.  

If travelling for work, study or business, you must get a visa in advance. If you do not have a visa, or if you have the wrong visa, you may be stopped from boarding or detained at the airport on arrival. Angola’s deportation process can take a long time.  

You can be fined 15,000 Angolan kwanzas a day if you overstay your visa. You may not be allowed to leave the country until your fine has been paid. You may also not be allowed to re-enter Angola. 

The Angolan authorities can fine you for visa offences, including: 

• working, studying or living in Angola without the correct visa 
• changing employment without notifying the authorities 
• employing staff with incorrect visas 
• failing to renew residence cards  
• changing address without notifying the authorities 

Vaccine requirements 

There is a risk of yellow fever transmission in Angola. This means you will need a certificate of yellow fever vaccination for some onward travel, including to South Africa. 

For full details about health entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Angola guide. 

Customs rules 

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Angola. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. 

Taking money into and out of Angola 

Declare cash or travellers cheques if the value is 5,000 US dollars or more (10,000 if you’re a resident). You’ll get a certified declaration to show you brought it in with you.  

You cannot take out more than 5,000 US dollars (10,000 if you’re a resident) or its equivalent in any foreign currency.   

You can take out up to 50,000 kwanzas in cash in addition to the foreign currency. 

Officials at the airport may search you to make sure you’re not leaving the country with more than the allowed amount.

Customs rules 

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Angola. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. 

Taking money into and out of Angola 

Declare cash or travellers cheques if the value is 5,000 US dollars or more (10,000 if you’re a resident). You’ll get a certified declaration to show you brought it in with you.  

You cannot take out more than 5,000 US dollars (10,000 if you’re a resident) or its equivalent in any foreign currency.   

You can take out up to 50,000 kwanzas in cash in addition to the foreign currency. 

Officials at the airport may search you to make sure you’re not leaving the country with more than the allowed amount.

Emergency services in Angola  

Ambulance: 112 

Fire: 118 

Police: 110 

Contact your travel provider and insurer 

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do. 

Refunds and changes to travel 

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first. 

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including: 

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider 
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim 

Support from FCDO 

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including: 

• finding English-speaking lawyers and funeral directors in Angola 
• dealing with a death in Angola 
• being arrested or imprisoned in Angola 
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime  
• what to do if you’re in hospital  
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack 

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies 

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Angola on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks. 

Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel  

Cabinda Province, except Cabinda city 

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Cabinda Province, except to Cabinda city. This is due to separatist groups carrying out targeted attacks on foreigners and the risk of kidnap. 

Border areas in Lunda Norte Province 

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to within 1km of the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in Lunda Norte province, except for official border crossings and their access roads. This is due to poor conditions, insecurity and banditry. 

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

Before you travel 

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance 

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. 

About FCDO travel advice

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. 

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences  

Personal ID 

Always carry ID – it is safest to carry a certified copy your passport’s photo page. If travelling outside of Luanda and the provincial capitals, take the originals with you, packed as securely as you can. If you do not have any ID, you may get an on-the-spot fine of 15,000 kwanzas. 

Illegal drugs and prison sentences 

Drug taking and smuggling are offences. Punishments can be severe and prison conditions are very poor. 

Using cameras and binoculars in secure areas 

Do not use cameras, binoculars or GPS equipment near any government buildings. Taking photographs in the streets can draw the attention of the authorities and they may confiscate your camera. 

LGBT+ travellers 

In January 2019, Angola’s parliament made it illegal to discriminate against people on the basis of sexual orientation. However, public attitudes towards same-sex relationships are less tolerant than in the UK. Showing affection in public may attract negative attention.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Wildlife, animal products and souvenirs 

If you’re caught buying or trafficking goods made of ivory it’s likely you’ll be prosecuted and get a prison sentence or fine.